Carbon High School Sterling Scholars 2013

Technology Education

The winner of the Technology Education Category, the son of Bill and Toni Thayn, is Adam Thayn. He has participated and excelled in many technology-related classes that he has taken throughout his high school career. He has taken woodworking, drafting, and architectural drafting. He enjoys setting high goals and pushing himself to achieve them.

Not only does he excel in school, but he also currently holds several leadership positions such as: FBLA Historian and Friends of Rachel Historian. Despite his academic emphasis, he has played several sports in high school including track and football; all while participating in National Honor Society, FBLA, Friends of Rachel, Yearbook, and concurrent enrollment. The winner has designed several houses for his drafting classes and also helped with the both the designing and construction of a bathroom remodeling project. The winner always strives to help others and has taken any opportunity to give back to his community. His service ranges from mowing lawns for the disabled to visiting elderly in nursing homes.

General

The winner of the General category is a well-rounded young lady who has excelled in all aspects of her life. She has been highly involved in academics, the arts, and athletics throughout her high school career. From Choir classes to her AP courses, she has demonstrated both an aptitude and hunger for learning. Not only has she dedicated herself to countless organizations, but she helps to lead them as well.

For the past three years, she has been a part of her high school girl's tennis team, National Honor Society, as well as Vocal Jazz and A Capella Choir. The winner is not only an exceptional student and athlete, but an active volunteer in her community.

She has aided various organizations with various activities such as a Humane Society food drive, community caroling, church cleaning, No Grave Unadorned, Greek Festival, Oktoberfest, and the Mountain Star Blood Drive. After being a part of her school's tennis program for three years, she earned the top spot on the varsity team and was made a captain. The winner of the general category, the daughter of Robert and Jenny Richens, is Alexandria Teresa Richens.

Foreign Language

The winner of the foreign language category is a gifted young lady who has excelled in all her pursuits. She has taken Spanish courses for three consecutive years and, in that short amount of time, has learned the language extremely well.

She has placed a solid "A" in every class she has taken, most of them Advanced Placement or honors courses. Besides her academics, the winner is also involved in several extracurricular activities. She has been an avid member of the National Honor Society all three years of her high school career. In her senior year, she was elected to serve as Parliamentarian of National Honor Society, President of the Spanish-International Club, and a representative for her school's Student Senate. The winner also loves to help those around her. Currently, she serves as a math tutor for two Spanish-speaking girls attending her high school. Also, during her junior year, she organized a fundraiser for the Juanita Childs Scholarship, raising nearly $200.00 for students in need. Ranked the highest in her class, the daughter of Anthony and Jennifer Martinez, is Ashley Martinez.

English

The winner of the English category developed a love for literature at a young age that has continued throughout his high school years. For as long as he can remember, he has sought to express himself though the written word. His poetry, prose, and nonfiction works have established him as one of the top writers in his class.

Despite maintaining a rigorous schedule of various AP courses, the winner also finds time to serve his fellow students through leadership positions. He currently serves as his high school's writing club Co-President, National Honor Society Vice-President, and Choir Council President. He has had several of his works published in student competitions; including his poem, "On Slavery," and his essay, "Why My Mother Washes her Dishes," which was published in a collection with students from across the United States and Canada.

Recently, the winner has also self-published a collection of his original poetry; and in doing so, fulfilled a life-long dream. The winner of the English category, the son of Jeffrey and Amy Richens, is Chantz Richens.

Speech and Drama

The winner has been involved with drama and debate classes for three years. His dramatic and duo interpretations have placed first at both National Qualifying tournaments and local tournaments. He has competed at national debate tournaments in Dallas, Texas and Indianapolis, Indiana.

He has also placed first in multiple individual events such as impromptu at the Arches Invitational Tournament. The winner currently serves as debate captain of his high school. The winner of the speech and drama category has participated in several of his school's dramatic productions by playing such roles as Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Charles Condomine in Blithe Spirit, and Robert Powell in Where There's a Will. He has also performed with his local community theatre by performing in various productions such as Fiddler on the Roof and The Sound of Music. The winner has performed incredibly well at region and state drama competitions, receiving straight superior scores two years in a row at state competitions.

The son of Doris and Ronald Johnston, the winner is Christian Johnston.

Music

The winner of the music category is an avid lover and performer of music of all genres. He has taken piano lessons since he was five, and is now a piano teacher himself. He played the tuba for the first time in fifth grade, and continues to play even now that he is finally taller than the instrument.

Through private lessons and self-instruction, he has learned to play the guitar, the drums, the harmonica, and has improved his vocal skills. He has participate in the top audition choir and band classes throughout his entire high school career, and has performed with other members of these classes in a variety of venues.

As a freshman, he earned the All Around Musician award for his exemplary vocal, instrumental, and piano performances. After high school, he hopes to attend Brigham Young University and graduate with a degree in music composition. With this degree, he hopes to write musical scores for advertisements and movies. Most importantly, this year's music category winner wishes to thank his family for all the support, patience, and love in his musical endeavors. The son of Aubrie and Jon Carpenter, the winner of the music category is Jacob Carpenter.

Business and Marketing

The winner of the business and marketing category is a young woman who has excelled in all areas of her academic career, especially business. She has taken advantage of the many business courses offered at her high school and has completed computer technology, economics, and Accounting I-IV, and passed the offered competency tests.

The winner has pushed herself by taking many AP and honor courses as well as being an active member of FBLA and NHS. Through Future Business Leaders of America, she has competed on the regional and state levels, and has qualified for nationals twice.

By holding offices in FBLA for four years and in NHS for two, she has learned the importance of working with others and giving back to her community. This young lady is dedicated, motivated, and ready to achieve all tasks set before her. She wishes for success in life and is very grateful to everyone who has helped and continues to help her along the path of life. The 2013 winner of the business and marketing category, the daughter of Will and Shera Gleave and Greg and Krissy Heil, is JoeCee Heil.

Math

The winner of this category has grown up with an inner desire and love for math. HE has participated in advanced math classes throughout his schooling and excelled in each of them. He has not only taken Algebra II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus AB, but has aced all of them. He also passed the AP Calculus AB test in his junior year with a score of a 4. This young man enjoys setting goals and challenging himself in order to reach them. Despite his many math classes, he has also held a variety of leadership positions throughout his years of high school. He has devoted many hours to service in his local community through membership in National Honor Society, Friends of Rachel, Symphonic Band, and Skills USA. In order to better prepare himself for college pursuits, he has participated in concurrent enrollment. By recently participating in an Intro to Engineering course, he has learned how to apply his knowledge of math hands on. The son of Jaynie Rae and Lee Nielsen, the winner of the math category is Joshua Nielsen.

Visual Arts

This year's visual art Sterling Scholar has grown up with an appreciation for art in all its aspects. He has always loved to both work on and improve his artistic skills. He aims to receive a degree in illustration and become employed at Disney. His high school career has been filled with all sorts of activities and experiences that have made him the person he is today. The most enjoyable experiences he has had are the opportunities that result in building his creative abilities. Activities like choir, swim team, and art trips are some of the things that he's enjoyed and have helped him the most. His senior year, he was appointed to serve as secretary for one of his high school's service clubs, Friends of Rachel. The service projects he has participated in from his membership have given him a new perspective on life. He has actively served in his local unit of the Boy Scouts of America and, a few days before his eighteenth birthday, he was able to earn his Eagle Scout award. He attributes much of his success to his amazing teachers, friends, and his parents. The winner of the visual arts category is Kenneth Carmack.

Social Science

The winner of the social science category has been greatly involved in her school and community. Her freshman year, she served her school as FCCLA President, chief editor of her school's newspaper, and head anchor on the school's news channel. Her leadership positions include: Friends of Rachel President, Gay-Straight Alliance Co-President, National Honor Society Secretary, FCCLA VP of Finance, PEAK Secretary, girls tennis captain, and debate captain. She is also actively involved in several clubs such as: Writing Club, Skills USA, FBLA, MESA, and Spanish-International Club. She has also participated in several AP and honors courses. Her junior year, she was honored to be chosen as the state winner of the Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest. The winner also actively participates in debate and has placed at both state and region competitions. She enjoys pushing herself and has placed 3rd in state for FCCLA Star Events, received superior ratings at region and state drama, and qualified for nationals in both Quiz Bowl and history fair competitions. The daughter of Tom and Kate Alleman, the winner of the social science category is Madison Alleman.

Science

The winner of the science category has grown up truly devoted to discovering the world around her. Even before entering secondary education, she spent nearly every free moment discovering the inner workings and intricacies of the earth. Though she loves all areas of science, the area she is most passionate about is paleontology. She hopes to one day fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a paleontologist. She is an active member of Utah Friends of Paleontology and has volunteered many hours dedicated to paleontology. She has had opportunities for learning that likely no one at such a young age throughout the state of Utah has had through participation in multiple paleontological excavations and time spent with world renowned specialists. In addition to her love of paleontology she spends much of her time studying geology, astronomy, zoology, and many other fields during her free time. The winner of the Science category, daughter of Darrin and Ruth Brandt, is Victoria Brandt.